What Do Paraspinal Muscles Have to Do With Back Pain?

By Editor

Spine Community News: The spine is surrounded by muscles anteriorly (psoas) and posteriorly (multifidus). These muscular structures are essential for motion and stability of the spine. Ideal function of these muscles requires strength and flexibility. If these structures became weak, stamina can be affected resulting in pain and advanced degeneration of non-muscular structure like discs and joints.

Atrophy of paraspinous muscle is seen in patients with back pain, lumbar radiculopathy and degenerative lumbar kyphosis. Increased fatty infiltration is correlated with lumbar radiculopathy and degenerative lumbar kyphosis.

A review of 21 studies of paraspinous muscles correlated the level of muscle atrophy and fat with a variety of spine conditions. Measurements of muscle cross-sectional areas were obtained by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. In normal volunteers, men have more cross-sectional area than women. Similarly, fatty infiltration increases with aging with a higher proportion in women than men. In regard to muscle atrophy, the painful side is smaller compared to the non-painful side. Fatty infiltration was also noted more often on the painful side. The longer the painful period, greater was the extent of fat infiltration. Fatty infiltration was correlated with self-reported disability and decreased lumbar flexion. Fatty infiltration was less with individuals with recurrent or non-continuous chronic low back pain.

The important issue is whether muscle changes are the cause or the result of spinal disorders. What this review shows is that muscle changes occur. More attention should be paid to the status of spinal muscles. Maintaining ideal muscle integrity is important for painless, spine function.

The information contained above is general in nature and is not intended as a guide to self-medication by consumers or meant to substitute for advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. The reader is advised to consult with a physician or other medical professional and to check product information (including packaging inserts) for changes and new information regarding dosage, precautions, and contra indication before administering any drug, herb, supplement, compound, therapy or treatment discussed herein. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.